In acting are you supposed to emphasize (over-react compared to normal) in theatre and on screeen?

Answer 1

Honestly it may seem like that when you perform on stage, but what it is is really emphasizing your gestures, projecting your voice, and ennunciating your words properly and maybe overly so. Not overacting per se.

On screen it's different. You don't do what I mentioned above bcause a camera can pick up on much slighter movements. On tv or film you can see a smirk or eyes rolling, but on stage you couldn't. You'd have to emphasize it physically in a bigger way. On screen you can see emotion quietly on someone's face without much sound at all, but on stage they must make noise or a gesture such as bringing their hands to their face in order to let you know they're crying.

You still react appropriately, you just need to learn how to do it for each medium in which you perform.

I just read the previous answer and I absolutely agree that for children's productions you usually do overact! The kids LOVE it!

my two cents

Answer 2

In a way, yes. You do not want your performace to be out of sync with the director's style for the play. All playing, stage and screen should exhibit energy, but alll playing, except in certain styles, such as childrens' theatre, should be realistic.
Generally, you need less emphasis in screen acting since the camera and sound recording magnifies everything. I think you need to follow Hamlet's advice to the players Act III sc 2.
And react as the character would react. That is the key to good acting.

Answer 3

It depends. For musicals and children's show, I always overact and do super pronounced movements and gestures. Right now I'm in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for young kids and it's all about the super flirty-ness for my character and the exaggerated flamboyancy of Ichabod.

For regular productions, it depends on how you want to play it. Think of the play Our Town. There are so many ways to play those characters, because the lack of a set and props.

Answer 4

Yes. I'm taking a drama class and you need to over exaggerate your actions and even your pronunciation. When your movements and sounds of words need to travel so far and fill a huge space, you need to give more.

Answer 5

on stage, definitely. on screen, it depends. usually no because the camera will easily pick up on your feautures and feelings. on stage, however, you need to for sure for the people in the cheap seats and the balcony!